Stir-crazy at home? Workload cramping your wanderlust? So are we. Thankfully, with the virtual world at our fingertips, there are plenty of ways to feed your inner traveller, around the world and back, with just the press of a button, from the comfort of your bed.

The protagonists in cinematic masterpieces live unforgettable travel experiences that we long to imitate: crazy adventures, journeys full of twists and turns, and endless tours with thousands of lessons. Here are a few films that have the power to take you away from reality for a few hours and let you dream of an adventure.

Want to stroll the boulevards of Paris?

Watch: Before Sunset (2004)

Get scenic glimpses of the Seine River, pretty cobbled streets, and old-world buildings in the back alleys of Paris in the cult favourite Before Sunset, starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke. In this gorgeous follow-up to Before Sunrise (1995), the duo stroll the city of love, having long and winding conversations about their careers, relationships, and the disappointments of adult life. The city is the perfect setting for the film, where viewers watch an old flame being rekindled. By the end, you’ll be dreaming of your own love story in Paris.

Yearning for a quiet life in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo?

Watch: Perfect Days (2023)

This soothing film, Perfect Days, centres on the quiet existence of a middle-aged Tokyo toilet cleaner, starring Kōji Yakusho. He discovers joy and fulfillment in the mundane aspects of his job, as he indulges in a number of hobbies in his spare time, including music, plants, and photography. It spotlights touristy areas in Tokyo’s Asakusa and Shibuya, as well as some of the unusual, architecturally wondrous public toilets located in Ebisu Park and Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park. The story examines themes of contentment, reflection, and the unnoticed beauty in daily routines.

Got the urge to drive through rural Mexico?

Watch: Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

A sweet, coming-of-age tale, Y Tu Mamá También is about growth, freedom, and sexual expression. After finding out about her unfaithful husband, a woman decides to go on a trip with two boys to a fictional beach they call Boca del Cielo (Heaven’s Mouth). They drive through miles and miles of rural Mexico to rediscover the happiness found in freedom. The real scene-stealer is the beautiful rolling scenery of Mexico and the wonderful glistening beaches. This is one of those travel films that is guaranteed to make you want to grab a backpack, call your dearest ones, and plan a road trip.

Dreaming of an adventure in remote New Zealand?

Watch: Whale Rider (2002)

Another coming-of-age epic steeped in folklore, indie gem Whale Rider casts Keisha Castle-Hughes as a Māori girl who is determined to be the chief of her tribe—a role no woman has held before. She must prove herself by honouring her ancestors, learning to fight, and recovering a whale tooth that is dropped into the ocean. Shot in Whangara, on New Zealand’s picturesque North Island, it’s a love letter to the region’s expansive beaches, craggy cliffs, and storied indigenous communities as it highlights the area’s natural beauty.

In the mood for loneliness and longing in 1960s Hong Kong?

Watch: In The Mood For Love (2000)

Through longing glances in corridors and across intimate table settings, In the Mood for Love tells the slow-burning love story of two beautiful, betrayed neighbours set in 1960s Hong Kong, starring the city’s legends Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung. Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, this visual poem showcases a nostalgia-soaked depiction of old Hong Kong. From the saturated colours of the billowing fabrics to the rainy downpours and dim streetlights, every single shot in the film is a vision to behold.